Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. 1 Public Transportation

(Art. 1, Title, Amended by Ord. No. 161,249, Eff. 6/20/86.)

Section 71.00 Scope and Definitions. 71.01 Authority of Board to Adopt Rules. 71.01.1 Authority of Designated Employees of the Department of Transportation to Make Arrests and Issue Citations. 71.01.2 Authority of Designated Employees of the Department of Transportation to Have Access to Summary Criminal History Information. 71.02 Operation of Vehicles – Permits Required. 71.02.1 Suspension of Taxicab Permit. 71.02.2 Monetary Penalties for Taxicab Operators. 71.02.3 Use of Public Rights-of-way. 71.02.4 Operation of Taxi Apps – Permits Required. 71.03 Driving of Vehicles – Permits Required. 71.04 Ambulance Attendants – Permits Required. 71.04.1 Non-ambulatory Passenger Vehicle Attendants – Permits Required. 71.05 Application and Annual or Monthly Fee for Vehicle Permits. 71.06 Application for Driver and Ambulance Attendant Permits. 71.06.1 Application Processing and Other Fees. 71.06.2 Fees for Services Provided Outside of Normal Working Hours. 71.06.3 Review of Fees for Service. 71.07 The Board’s Power to Revoke or Suspend Driver, Attendant, or Vehicle Permits. 71.08 Grounds for Denial, Revocation, Suspension or Cancellation of Permit. 71.09 Procedures for Denial, Revocation, Suspension or Cancellation of Permits by the General Manager or the General Manager’s Authorized Representative. 71.09.1 Rehearing. 71.09.2 Monetary Penalties for Driver, Vehicle and Attendant Permittees. 71.10 Regulations During Suspension Period. 71.11 Duration and Renewal of Permits.

71.14 Insurance or Bond Required. 71.15 Contracts Between Owners and Employees. 71.16 Taxicab Identification. 71.16.1 Vehicle Identification. 71.17 Licenses. 71.18 Permitted Vehicle Zones. 71.19 Vehicle Signs. 71.20 Disclosure of Taxicab Fares, Fees, or Rates. 71.20.1 Taxicab Advertising Displays. 71.21 Other Signs – Permit Required. 71.22 Taximeters. 71.23 Circuitous Routes. 71.24 Excess Charges. 71.25 Authority of Board to Establish Rates. 71.26 Transportation Regulation and Enforcement Trust Fund. 71.27 Inspection of Limousine Waybills. 71.28 Compensation to Gain Access to Passengers. 71.29 Regulation of Shared Mobility Devices. 71.29.1 Provider and Device Fees. 71.29.2 Rules. 71.29.3 Violations and Notice of Violations. 71.29.4 Requests for Administrative Hearing and Appeal. 71.30 Regulation of Personal Delivery Devices. 71.31 Restrictions on Electric Bicycle, Motorized Scooter, and Other Mobility Device Rentals at Venice Beach.

(Amended by Ord. No. 170,068, Eff. 11/18/94.)

Scope. The provisions of this chapter apply when the provisions are not in conflict with any paramount regulations by the state or nation.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out, unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:

“Automobile-For-Hire” shall mean every automobile, other than taxicabs, used for prearranged transportation of passengers over the streets of this City and not over a defined route within the boundary limits of said City at rates per mile, per trip, per hour, per day, per week or per month. Such vehicle shall not be equipped with a taximeter or facsimile thereof, shall not display advertisements or possess a top light, is not required to display a company logo or maintain a two-way radio and is not permitted to solicit passengers from City streets, sidewalks or other public areas.

“Board” shall mean the Board of Transportation Commissioners. (Amended by Ord. No. 188,698, Eff. 9/21/25.)

“Department” shall mean the Department of Transportation of this City.

“Driver” shall mean every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle defined in this section, either as an agent, employee or otherwise.

“Motor Bus” shall mean every automobile, jitney bus, stage and autostage, and every other motor-propelled vehicle owned, controlled, operated and managed for public use in the transportation of persons over any public street in the City of Los Angeles, and into which passengers are received and from which passengers are discharged along the route traversed by such vehicle, provided that other vehicles defined herein shall not be deemed included in said term.

“Non-ambulatory Passenger Vehicle” shall mean every motor vehicle specially constructed, modified, equipped, or arranged for the purpose of transporting passengers in litters or wheelchairs on a non- emergency basis, used for the purpose of serving the public, and driven by any person other than a governmental agency, whether or not the transportation extends beyond the City limits and whether or not any fee, compensation, or consideration is charged, paid, or received for such transportation.

“Non-motorized Vehicle” shall mean every vehicle for hire powered by people or animal whether pulled, drawn, pushed or pedaled, and used for the transportation of passengers over streets or ways of the City. The Board shall determine the suitability of streets and pickup zones to be permitted for use, the hours of operation, insurance requirements and other restrictions for non-motorized vehicle service. “Operator” shall mean any person or corporation who conducts or manages a business using the vehicles defined in Section 71.00.

“Private Ambulance” shall mean every vehicle equipped with a siren and specially constructed, modified, equipped or arranged for the purpose of transporting sick, injured, convalescent, infirm or otherwise incapacitated persons, used for the purpose of serving the public, and driven by any person other than governmental agency.

“Public Transportation Vehicle” shall mean every automobile or motor propelled vehicle, not otherwise defined in this section, used for the transportation of passengers over streets of this City, whether or not the transportation extends beyond the City and whether or not any fee, compensation or consideration of any character is charged, paid or received for such transportation.

“School Bus” shall mean every motor vehicle used for the transportation of pupils to or from any school or institution of learning, or to or from school activities, over the streets of this City, irrespective of whether such operations extend beyond the boundary limits of this City, and regardless of whether or not any fee, compensation or consideration is paid for such transportation, except the following vehicles:

1. A motor vehicle of the pleasure type carrying only members of the household and the guests of the owner thereof;

2. A motor vehicle while being operated by or under contract with the Board of Education.

“Sightseeing Automobile” shall mean every automobile or motor propelled vehicle used for the transportation of passengers over streets of this City, irrespective of whether such operations extend beyond the boundary limits of this City, for sightseeing purposes or showing points of interest and charging a fee or compensation therefor, regardless of whether any fee, compensation or consideration is paid to the driver of such sightseeing automobile by the passenger or by the owner, or by the person who employs or contracts with the driver, or charters such sightseeing automobile with a driver to transport or convey any passenger, and irrespective of whether or not such driver receives any fee or compensation for the services.

“Taxicab” shall mean every automobile or motor propelled vehicle which is designed to carry not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and either is equipped with a taximeter or a top light or has the words “taxi”, “cab” or “taxicab” displayed on the exterior of the vehicle, and used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the streets of this City, irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the boundary limits of said City, at rates for distance traveled, or for zones, or for waiting, standby or traffic delay time, or for any combination of such rates, and not operating over a defined route but routed under the direction of such passengers or persons hiring the same.

“Taxicab Operator” shall mean a person, owner, taxicab service company, taxicab vehicle permittee, corporation, cooperative, association, firm, partnership, membership organization, or other entity engaged in the business of operating a taxicab service. It also includes: (1) the management and officers of the Taxicab Operator; and (2) receivers or trustees appointed by any court. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

“Taximeter” shall mean a device that automatically calculates at predetermined rate or rates, and indicates the charge for hire of a vehicle.

“Zone” shall mean a place established by the Department and designated as a zone for the use while waiting employment of any vehicle defined in Section 71.00 or operated in passenger transportation service by authority of the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Amended by Ord. No. 173,901, Eff. 5/31/01.)

(a) No person shall drive a private ambulance as defined in Section 71.00 without first having obtained an ambulance driver permit from the Board.

(b) No person shall drive a non-ambulatory passenger vehicle as defined in Section 71.00 without first having obtained a non-ambulatory passenger vehicle driver permit from the Board.

(c) No person shall drive or operate a taxicab as defined in Section 71.00 without first having obtained a taxicab driver permit from the Board.

(d) No person shall drive or operate any other type of vehicle defined in Section 71.00 without first having obtained a driver permit from the Board.

(Title Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(a) Applicants for vehicle permits shall file with the department an application upon forms provided by the department, containing such information as is required by the rules and regulations of the Board. (Amended by Ord. No. 149,526, Eff. 5/21/77.)

(b) A Taxicab Operator shall pay an annual taxicab vehicle permit fee, in the amount specified in Section 71.06.1, for each vehicle put into operation during the calendar year. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

(c) Each application for a new, or renewal vehicle permit, other than a taxicab, shall be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee in the amount specified in Section 71.06.1 for each vehicle covered by the application. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,541, Eff. 3/28/09.)

If the application is for a permit to operate a vehicle, other than a taxicab that is inspected at least annually by another governmental agency, then the non-refundable Vehicle Permit processing fee for such vehicle shall be reduced by $25.00.

If the application is for a permit to use a vehicle, other than a taxicab or non-motorized vehicle, for a period not exceeding 30 days, as a substitute for a vehicle for which a permit is in full force and effect, no processing fee shall be required. If the application is for a temporary permit in excess of 30 days, it shall be accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee of $50.00 for each vehicle covered by such application. Temporary permits, other than for taxicabs or non-motorized vehicles, will not be issued for a period in excess of 60 days.

(d) Any money due to the Department of Transportation by any applicant for a vehicle permit, including money owed for outstanding parking tickets or other fines assessed by the Department, must first be paid, or the matter otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of the Department, prior to the issuance of such permit. (Amended by Ord. No. 166,534, Eff. 1/31/91.)

(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

The Board shall have the power after public hearing to deny, revoke, suspend or cancel any driver, attendant, or vehicle permit for which this article makes provision. The exercise of such power, except in an emergency situation involving public health and safety, shall be subject to the affected permittee having been given adequate notice of the hearing, the proposed action, the reasons thereof, a copy of the charges upon which the action is based, and the permittee shall have the right to respond, either orally or in writing.

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,456, Eff. 12/30/77.)

The following shall constitute grounds for denial, revocation, suspension or cancellation of any driver, attendant, or vehicle permit for which this article makes provision: (First para. amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(a) Arrest for the commission of any crime while driving a vehicle defined in Section 71.00 or any crime involving moral turpitude;

(b) Violation of any rule or regulation of the Board, any section of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, Los Angeles Administrative Code and other ordinances of the City, any rule or regulation of the Department of Airports, and any section of a State Statute or Administrative Code, relating to the operation of a vehicle defined in Sec. 71.00 and for which a permit is required under this article.

From the time of the revocation or during the suspension of any permit, no person whose permit is suspended or revoked shall drive, operate or be in charge of any of the vehicles defined in Section 71.00, or permit the vehicles on which the permit has been suspended or revoked to engage in the several classes of business mentioned in Section 71.00 or allow any such vehicle to stand while awaiting employment at a location designated in such suspended or revoked permit until a new permit has been procured or until the period of suspension shall have expired.

(Amended by Ord. No. 145,593, Eff. 3/28/74.)

Permits issued under the provisions of this article shall be for the following durations:

(a) Vehicle permit shall be issued initially for a period not to exceed one year and renewals thereof shall be for maximum one year periods thereafter. (Amended by Ord. No. 157,741, Eff. 7/9/83.)

(b) (Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.) Driver permits and attendant permits shall be issued initially for a period not to exceed one year and renewals shall be for two-year periods thereafter.

Vehicle, driver and attendant permits shall expire upon such date or dates as may be fixed by the Department.

(Repealed by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

(a) Before any vehicle permit or franchise is issued for any vehicle mentioned in Section 71.00, the operator of the vehicle shall file with the Department, and shall thereafter keep in full force and effect a policy of insurance in such form and amounts as the Board in consultation with the City Administrative Officer’s Risk Management Section may from time to time require but not less than the appropriate sums specified in the following table. Such insurance shall be written by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of California, insuring the operator against liability for any loss or damage that may result to any persons or property from the operation of such vehicle: (Amended by Ord. No. 170,068, Eff. 11/18/94.)

For Bodily Injury to or For Loss or Damage to

Seating Capacity of For Bodily Injury to or Death of More Than Property in Any One Vehicle Death of One Person One Person in Any Accident One Accident 1 - 7 passengers $100,000 $300,000 $50,000 8 - 12 passengers $100,000 $350,000 $100,000 13 - 20 passengers $100,000 $450,000 $100,000 21 - 30 passengers $100,000 $500,000 $100,000 Over 30 passengers $100,000 $600,000 $100,000

EXCEPTION:

Operators of non-motorized vehicles shall maintain a policy of insurance for public liability and property damage in amounts to be determined by the Board.

Such operator may, in lieu of the aforesaid policy of insurance, file with the Department a bond in such form as the Department may require, approved by the City Attorney, executed by a corporate surety authorized to conduct business under the laws of the State of California as a surety in a sufficient amount which bond shall be conditioned upon the payment of all final judgments which may be rendered against such operator for damages on account of injuries to any person or property from the operation of such vehicle, and which bond shall be in the amount specified in the following table, according to the size and number of motor vehicles permitted or franchised.

Amount of Bond as to Vehicles Amount of Bond as to Vehicles

Number of Vehicles Owned or Having a Seating Capacity of Having a Seating Capacity of Offered For Hire Less than 11 Passengers More than 10 Passengers 1 $220,000 $440,000 2 - 5 $300,000 $600,000 6 - 20 $400,000 $800,000 21 - 60 $500,000 $1,000,000 61 - 100 $600,000 $1,200,000 Over 100 $700,000 $1,400,000

(b) In the event of the return unsatisfied of any execution issued on any judgment rendered against such operator for damages on amount of injury to person or property occasioned by such motor vehicle, such operator shall, within ten days after the return of such execution unsatisfied, pay such judgment or increase the amount of the operator’s bond by the amount thereof, and failing to do so, the operator shall forthwith cease their operations until such judgment is paid or such bond is so increased. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(c) All policies or bonds shall contain a provision for continuing liability thereunder up to the full amount thereof notwithstanding any recovery thereon.

(d) If an operator has net assets of at least $500,000.00, the operator may file with the Department a current balance sheet certified by a certified public accountant, and if such balance sheet be approved by the Board, and if the Board shall find that such person has net assets of at least $500,000.00, as aforesaid, and has stipulated in writing to meet all other conditions prescribed by the Board, after Board’s consideration of recommendations of the City’s Risk Manager, as required for self-insurance, then no policy of liability insurance or bond need be filed by such operator; subject, however, to the provisions of Subsection (e) of this section. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(e) Any operator electing to file a balance sheet in lieu of a policy of liability insurance or bond as hereinabove provided shall thereafter file with the Department, at such period or periods as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time, but not less than annually, current balance sheets certified to by a certified public accountant. The Board may at any time make a further investigation of the net assets of any such person, and whenever the Board find that such person does not appear to have net assets of at least $500,000, as aforesaid, or has not complied with other provisions required as conditions of self-insurance, the Board may revoke the authority of such person to file balance sheets in lieu of a policy of liability insurance or bond, as aforesaid, and shall require such person immediately to file with the City a policy of liability insurance or bond as hereinabove required. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(f) No person shall operate any vehicle described in Section 71.00 unless there is a policy or bond on file in full force and effect as provided by this section or there is a current balance sheet on file with the Department approved by the Board as aforesaid, and such person is in compliance with all other Board requirements for self-insurance. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,615, Eff. 8/16/87.)

(g) Any operator may file with the Department such combination of policy of insurance and bond as will afford the public protection at least equivalent to the insurance specified above with respect to the payment of judgments obtained against said operator. Such filing shall be subject to approval by the City Attorney. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

Vehicles described in Section 71.00 for which a permit or franchise has been granted shall be driven by the grantee thereof or by an employee of the grantee. No grantee or driver of such vehicle shall enter into any contract, agreement or understanding between themselves by the terms of which such driver pays to, or for the account of, such grantee a fixed or determinable sum for the use of such vehicle. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, however, any motor bus or taxicab as described in Section 71.00 for which a permit or franchise has been granted may be driven pursuant to a contract, agreement, or understanding between the grantee and the driver provided the grantee secures the prior authorization of the Board regarding the extent thereof and in the granting of such permission, if the Board does grant such permission, the Board is empowered to impose such conditions as it deems necessary. The Board is further empowered to impose any such conditions as it deems necessary as to any authorizations heretofore given by the Board permitting such leasing or contracting.

(Amended by Ord. No. 173,301, Eff. 6/30/00, Oper. 7/1/00.)

Each permit issued under the provisions of this article shall entitle the holder thereof to obtain a license to engage in the business described in said permit from the Office of Finance upon the payment of the license fee, and the Office of Finance shall issue to the holder, a license setting forth the kind of transportation for which such license is issued and the year when issued.

(Amended by Ord. No. 173,901, Eff. 5/31/01.)

(a) The Department may establish zones to be used for the parking of vehicles defined in Section 71.00, or operated in passenger transportation service by authority of the California Public Utilities Commission, while awaiting employment.

(b) Any zone so designated shall be occupied only by the permittee or permittees so authorized where such zone has been established in accordance with the provisions herein contained, and shall be occupied only during such hours of the day as may be specified by said Department.

(c) All existing and future taxicab zones established in the City shall be open to use by all Department permitted Taxicab Operators to operate in the service area of said zone. The Department shall make such conditions as it finds necessary to regulate such joint use of taxicab zones. The Board may, after a public hearing, determine that public interest requires that one or more Taxicab Operators be restricted or prohibited from use of any specific zone. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

(a) Automobiles for hire while standing upon any street awaiting employment may display a sign with the words thereon “For Hire”. Such sign shall be of metal and of a uniform size of 6 by 9 inches.

(b) Every vehicle used for carrying passengers for sightseeing purposes while standing upon any street awaiting employment may display a sign with the words thereon “Sightseeing Bus” giving the route, points visited or destination. Sightseeing bus signs shall be of metal of a uniform size of 8 by 24 inches.

(c) The outer surface of all signs specified in this paragraph shall be painted or enamelled a dark color and the letters and figures appearing thereon shall be white.

(Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

No person shall display any sign other than those provided in Sections 71.19 and 71.20 without first obtaining the written permission of the Board to do so.

(Amended by Ord. No. 187,416, Eff. 3/2/22.)

(a) A Taxicab Operator may use any type of device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, including the use of Global Positioning System metering, provided the device or technology complies with Section 12500.5 of the California Business and Professions Code and with all regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions Code, as well as other state laws. The installation, operation and maintenance of a taximeter shall be in compliance with state law, City ordinances, and Board Rules. Taximeters shall be maintained at all times to be accurate and in good working order. It shall be unlawful to install or program a taximeter in a manner that makes it possible to tamper with the rate setting mechanisms. It shall be unlawful to attach any equipment to a taximeter or the taximeter’s wiring harness that has not been approved by the state or the City. It shall be unlawful to possess a fraudulent or false taximeter.

(b) Each Taxicab Operator shall maintain a taximeter or a taxi soft meter approved by the Department capable of printing, emailing, or texting a receipt for all trips provided. For the purposes of this section, a taxi soft meter is a type of taximeter that uses technologies such as GPS or on-board diagnostics to calculate fares based on time and distance.

(c) All taxicab fares and rates shall be set in compliance with state law.

Any driver employed to carry passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route practicable that will carry the passengers safely and expeditiously to their destination.

(Amended by Ord. No. 165,491, Eff. 3/19/90.)

No person shall charge, collect, demand, receive or arrange for any compensation for the service of any vehicle defined in Section 71.00 in this City used for the conveyance of passengers, any amount, rate, or compensation different than the charges or rates established by the Board.

(a) The Board shall have the authority to establish and prescribe by Board order the rates to be charged for transportation by the motor vehicles mentioned in Section 71.00. Any Board Order fixing rates must be approved by the City Council, by ordinance, before taking effect. However, the Board may by Board Order establish rates to be effective on final publication and without subsequent ratification by the City Council within the range of maximum and minimum rates established by ordinance.

(b) No provision of this section shall prevent the Board from approving and establishing rates outside any ordinance-prescribed maximum and minimum rates, subject to approval by the City Council in accordance with the provisions of Section 22.484 (g) of the Los Angeles Administrative Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 173,193, Eff. 5/29/00, Oper. 7/1/00.)

(c) No rate shall be placed in effect, charged, demanded or collected for passenger transportation service until the Board, after hearing upon its own motion, or upon application, or upon complaint, shall have found and determined said rate to be just, reasonable non- discriminatory, non-preferential, and not in violation of any provision herein contained or any provision of law; nor until said rate to be placed in effect, charged, demanded or collected shall have been approved and established.

(d) The Board shall have power, upon a hearing upon its own motion or upon complaint, to investigate a single rate or fare, or the entire schedule of rates in effect, charged, demanded or collected for transportation, service, and to establish a new rate or schedule of rates in lieu thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to empower the Board to approve or establish any rate, or any schedule of rates for passenger transportation service that will, by means of rebate, discount, sale of script books, excursion or commutation tickets, or in anywise, violate the minimum or maximum rate or the provisions contained in this section or any provision of law.

(e) No provision of this article shall be deemed to prevent the Board upon notice and after hearing, from prescribing boundaries and establishing rates to be charged for point-to-point trips within such prescribed boundaries, subject to Paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

(Added by Ord. No. 170,068, Eff. 11/18/94.)

All monies collected for monetary penalties from taxicab operators, monetary penalties from individual permit holders or any other fines, penalties and bond forfeitures collected pursuant to this article shall be placed in a separate fund entitled “Transportation Regulation and Enforcement Trust Fund”, to be administered by the Department of Transportation. All monies paid into the fund and any interest earned thereon shall be used for Citywide regulation and enforcement, in excess of that authorized in the Department’s annual budget, of this article as it relates to operators, vehicles, and drivers providing both legal and illegal (“bandit”) transportation services in the City.

(Added by Ord. No. 180,999, Eff. 1/7/10.)

(a) The Taxicab Administrator, Chief Transportation Investigator, Senior Transportation Investigator, Transportation Investigator and any individual holding Peace Officer status with jurisdictional authority in the City, may, upon request, inspect the waybill of any charter-party carrier of passengers operating within the City for the purpose of verifying valid pre-arranged travel. As required by Part 3.01 of General Order 157-C promulgated by the California Public Utilities Commission, or any successor regulation, the waybill must include the following:

(1) Name of carrier and TCP number;

(2) Vehicle license plate number;

(3) Driver’s name;

(4) Name and address of person requesting or arranging the charter;

(5) Time and date when charter was arranged;

(6) Whether the transportation was arranged by telephone or written contract;

(7) Number of persons in the charter group;

(8) Name of at least one passenger in the traveling party, or identifying information about the traveling party’s affiliation; and

(9) Points of origination and destination.

The party arranging the transportation must have exclusive use of the vehicle.

(b) Any person operating a charter-party carrier of passengers within the City who, upon request by an individual authorized under Subsection (a) of this Section, fails or refuses to produce their waybill for inspection is guilty of an infraction punishable under this Section, as provided in Subsection (c) hereof.

(c) Upon conviction of a violation charged under this Section, the person so convicted shall be punished for the first offense by a fine of $100.00; and for a second additional violation within one year of the first offense, by a fine of $250.00. A third violation of this Section within one year shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

(Added by Ord. No. 182,483, Eff. 4/21/13.)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to pay, or offer or agree to pay, any owner of any hotel, apartment house, motel, inn, rental unit, restaurant, bar, or other business establishment, or an agent or employee of any such owner, for recommending or directing any passenger without a reservation made on a pre-arranged basis to ride in a specific automobile-for-hire or taxicab, or to a specific company that owns an automobile-for-hire or taxicab.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any owner of a hotel, apartment house, motel, inn, rental unit, restaurant or bar, or other business establishment, or for an agent or employee of any such owner, to accept or offer or agree to accept payment for recommending or directing a passenger without a reservation made on a pre-arranged basis to ride in a specific Automobile-For-Hire or Taxicab, or to a specific company that owns an automobile-for- hire or taxicab.

(c) Violation – Penalties. A first time violation of this Section shall result in a fine of Two Hundred Dollars ($200). A subsequent offense of this Section is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(d) Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of any competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.

(Added by Ord. No. 187,715, Eff. 1/23/23.)

(a) Department of Transportation Authority. The Department shall implement a Personal Delivery Device Pilot Program (Program) and may issue a permit to a qualified pilot program operator (Operator), as defined in the Department’s Rules and Guidelines (Rules). Under the Program, an Operator of a Personal Delivery Device (PDD) shall obtain a permit from the Department and comply with the Rules, and all terms and conditions, regulations, and indemnification, insurance, and fee requirements set forth in the permit. For purposes of this section, a PDD is an automated or remotely piloted device containing storage space for packages, food, and other delivery items. Failure of an Operator to comply with the Rules or any term or condition set forth in the permit may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, or a reduction in the number of PDDs that an Operator is allowed to deploy as authorized by the Department under the terms of its permit. The Department shall have the authority to amend its Rules as necessary during the life of the Program.

(b) Enforcement Authority. The Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Bureau of Street Services may enforce any violation of this Code or state law by an Operator in the deployment of a PDD on a sidewalk, crosswalk, or other public right-of-way in the City.

(Added by Ord. No. 187,667, Eff. 12/19/22.)

(a) Definitions.

1. “Mobility Device”, as used in this section, shall mean bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized scooters, electric scooters, and any other electric personal assistive mobility device.

2. “Rental”, as used in this section, shall mean the transfer of possession or control of a Mobility Device from a Vendor to a rider, for a temporary period of time, in exchange for money or other similar

consideration, including any monetary gift or gratuity, demanded or received by the Vendor.

3. “Vendor”, as used in this section, shall mean any person who is engaged in the Rental of a Mobility Device within 1 mile of the legal boundaries of Venice Beach. This definition shall not include any

provider, as that term is used in Section 71.29 of this Code, that has a valid and current permit under the Shared Mobility Device Permit Program.

4. “Venice Beach”, as used in this section, shall mean all park land, beach lands, or beach properties adjoining the waterfront of the Pacific Ocean between the southerly boundary of the City of Santa Monica

and the North Jetty of Marina Del Rey, including the area known as Ocean Front Walk.

(b) Vendor Requirements. Every Vendor shall do all of the following:

1. Notify each rider, prior to the Rental, both verbally and via written notice that is not less than 14-point font printed on paper that is not less than 8.5" x 11" in size, of the legal limitations on the use of the Mobility Device on Ocean Front Walk and any beach path at Venice Beach, and on Venice neighborhood walk streets and sidewalks;

   2. Include, in any written or digital agreement for the Rental of a Mobility Device, a provision setting forth all legal limitations on the use of the Mobility Device on Ocean Front Walk and any beach path at

   Venice Beach, and on Venice neighborhood walk streets and sidewalks;

   3. Require, in any written or digital agreement for the Rental of a Mobility Device, the rider to specifically acknowledge, by separate signature or initial, receipt of the advisory provision described in Subdivision (b)2.

(c) Ocean Front Walk Vendor Requirements. Every Vendor offering Mobility Devices for Rental within 500 feet of Ocean Front Walk shall do all of the following:

1. Require each employee and agent of the Vendor to transfer physical possession or control of the Mobility Device to the rider at a location not less than 300 feet inland from Venice Beach.

2. Only display, park, or otherwise store all Mobility Devices inside of a building, unless the Mobility Device has a prominent sign posted upon it advising potential riders of the legal limitations on the use of the Mobility Device on Ocean Front Walk and any beach path at Venice Beach, and on Venice neighborhood walk streets and sidewalks, in which case the Mobility Device with the sign posted upon it may be displayed, parked, or otherwise stored outside. Nothing in this section shall limit or otherwise create an exception to Section 56.12 of this Code, prohibiting Mobility Devices from being displayed, placed, or stored in or on a public right-of-way, including a street or sidewalk. For purposes of the posting requirement in this Subdivision (c)2., one sign shall be placed in a conspicuous location on each Mobility Device displayed, parked, or otherwise stored outside. The requirement for a prominent sign shall be met if the sign is not less than 8.5" x 11" in size and legibly states, in not less than 48-point font, “This device may not be ridden on Ocean Front Walk and is also subject to other legal restrictions. Learn more prior to rental.”

(d) Penalty. Violation of any provision this section above shall be punishable in accordance with Subdivision (m) of Section 11.00 of this Code.

(e) Compliance. Compliance with this section shall in no way relieve a Vendor of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable city, state or federal law; including the Department of Transportation’s On- Demand Mobility Rules and Guidelines.

(f) Severability. If any provision of this section is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, that invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this section which can be implemented without invalid provisions, and to this end, the provisions of this section are declared to be severable.